MWF Names Conservation Award Recipients at
71st Annual Convention

For Immediate Release: April 24, 2006

Contact: Rich Day, MWF Communications Coordinator; 494-8661, rday@mtwf.org; or Chris Marchion, MWF President, 497-3871

Helena--Montana Wildlife Federation proudly presented seventeen prestigious conservation awards to deserving individuals and organizations at its 71st annual convention held April 21-23 in Helena. More than 100 hunters, anglers and conservationists gathered to recognize the award recipients, whose outstanding accomplishments have contributed to natural resource conservation and Montana’s public hunting and fishing heritage.

“The award winners are individuals and organizations who spend endless hours working for Montana’s outstanding wildlife resource,” said MWF Executive Director Craig Sharpe. “They are especially noteworthy because they are nominated by people from around the state that recognize their significant contributions to our fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation heritage.”

The awards ceremony was highlighted by opening remarks from Larry Schweiger, President of the National Wildlife Federation. MWF is the state affiliate of NWF.

Receiving a Special Conservation Leadership Award was Gov. Brian Schweitzer for his stands on hunting and fishing issues and enhancing public access, his opposition to the sale of federal lands and his inclusive efforts to formulate Montana’s roadless areas management irections while recognizing them as valuable wildlife habitat.

Sen. Max Baucus received the Conservation Legislator of the Year Award for his leadership in Congress opposing the sale of public lands and in recognition of his outstanding leadership promoting sound natural resource conservation and public hunting and angling opportunities. In a letter to MWF, Sen. Baucus wrote, “Montana is an outdoor state; it’s in our blood. Whether we are fly fishing on the Madison, hiking through the Flathead, or hunting out by Makoshika, our public lands are our heritage. Like all of you, some of my fondest memories revolve around being outside.” Baucus’ letter went on to say, “What the bureaucrats don’t understand is that every time they whittle down our public lands, they are not only destroying our memories, they are preventing our children from making their own special memories.”

MWF president Chris Marchion also presented awards to the following individuals and organizations:

• Don Aldrich Conservationist of the Year: Richard Kuhl, Kalispell, for his endless devotion to the conservation of wildlife, fisheries, waters and wildlife habitats and his work to preserve Montana's public hunting and fishing heritage.
• Fred Carver Sportsman of the Year: Don Clark, Libby, for his outstanding dedication to the conservation of fish and wildlife and sportsmen's interests.
• Les Pengelly Conservation Professional of the Year: Kurt Alt, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife manager from Bozeman, for his outstanding devotion to the conservation of natural resources and public
  recreation opportunities of Montana.
• Conservation Communicator of the Year: Darryl Olson, Shepherd, for his continuing efforts to enlighten the public on critical issues of public recreation, wildlife, wildlife habitat and the “public trust.”
• Conservation Educator of the Year: Kevin Holland, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game warden from Billings, for his continued and outstanding devotion to natural resource education.
• Conservation Organization of the Year: Trust for Public Land, in recognition of an organization that has most effectively promoted natural resource conservation in Montana.
• Outfitter of the Year: Jack Rich, Seeley Lake, in recognition of the outfitter or outfitting business that provides exemplary services enhancing the public’s ability to enjoy the resources held in common by
  all people.
• Landowner of the Year: Peggy McLeod, Wilsall, in recognition of a private landowner who is an exemplary land and wildlife steward and promotes communication between landowners and sportsmen.
• Landowner/Sportsmen Achievement Award: Ron Uchytil, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Block Management Coordinator, Missoula, for his outstanding dedication to wildlife stewardship and landowner/sportsmen relationships.
• Gary Holmquist Sportsmen Achievement Award: Tom Powers, Stevensville, for his continued individual dedication to Montana's hunting, angling, fish and wildlife heritage.
• Montana Wildlife Federation Affiliate of the Year: Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association. In recognition of the MWF affiliate club that has contributed most significantly to the promotion of sportsmen
  interests, natural resource conservation and the mission of MWF.
• Special Organization Achievement Award: Glendive Chapter, Walleyes Unlimited, in recognition of an organization that is dedicated to Montana's hunting, angling, fish and wildlife future.
• Special Conservation Achievement Award: Jim Flynn, Anaconda, for his outstanding leadership and devotion to the conservation and restoration of natural resources within the Clark Fork River basin.
• Special Lobbying Achievement Award: Ann Hedges, Montana Environmental Information Center, Helena, for her outstanding legislative efforts promoting the conservation of wildlife, wild lands and wildlife related
  public recreation opportunity.

Thank you for all you do for Montana's public lands, wildlife, and fair-chase hunting and fishing heritage.

Montana Wildlife Federation, with nearly 7,000 members, is the largest and oldest statewide nonprofit wildlife conservation organization of hunters and anglers who work to protect Montana's lands and waters and its hunting and fishing heritage.

To learn more about MWF, go to www.montanawildlife.com.

This message is brought to you by the Montana Wildlife Federation ... Montana's largest, statewide wildlife conservation organization with over 7,000 members.